October 11, 2005

"Is there a letter in this parcel?" The woman behind the post office counter curtly asked me. She glared at me accusingly until i cracked under the pressure. I am not proud, but i did crack..."yes" i whimpered. It then struck me that i clearly wasn't thinking straight, and that there wasn't even a letter..just a birthday card for my best friend hanna (and the parcel was her presents!). i was about to tell her this when she snapped her next line at me "That will be £12.50 then" she looked at me sizing me up and waiting for my reaction. Well, after i picked myself up off of the floor (because for my American friends that equates to about $22) i thought well, i should mention that it is in fact a card, and therefore doesn't really count as a letter.

So i volunteered this information to her. She glared at me again (she was very good at this) and said "fine. that will be £6.50 then)". Oh great i thought. Now she is going to think its a lie. I then had to fill in the customs form, and in my state of shock/panic and guilt (still not sure what for) i forgot to sign and date it..oh what a crime. She shoved it back at me. "sign" she demanded...oh god...whats my name, "the date?" i asked having lost complete track of days and dates. Nothing. Not a word. She is clearly thinking you stupid girl.

I skulked away like a naughty child, i swear her eyes were burning a hole in my back.

What a difference in service is all i can say. When i lived in my former town, we had a little post office. You'd go in there, more often than not you'd meet someone you know, or everyone in the queue would know each other. The counter staff knew you, your family and would not ask stupid questions like "is there a letter in this parcel". As if they would want to charge me that much! And more often than not i would be teased by them, because they were capable of a sense of humour...unlike this rude woman i dealt with today.

Here in the city though. All i can expect is service with a scowl. Everyone goes about their business, and don't engage in conversation unless absolutley necessary. What a shame. Its one of the reasons that i hate living in this city.

And by the way...on what planet can they charge £6/$10 for just having a letter in the parcel!!!!!?